Recently, I've been super superrrr obsessed with organizing my closet. I've been cleaning out, donating, hanging, boxing up and building displays. I wanted to have some cute hat boxes in the top of my closet to store some of my vintage hats and other things that can be easily bent up. After shopping around I decided that the best option for me was D.I.Y. I gathered up all my shoe boxes that I'd been saving and went to town...
1. Collect shoe boxes. I never throw them away! You can use them to store so many things other than shoes! 2. Cover one side of your box (whatever side you'd like facing out) with mod podge or gel medium. 3. Press a fabric scrap on that one side of the box. Allow to dry completely. 4. Trim away the excess fabric. 5. Take an instant photo of the item(s) you plan to store in your box. Adhere your photo to the front of your box for easy identification! 6. Allow to dry, stack them and store them! Try to use a lot of different patterned fabrics in a limited color scheme for a simple, yet interesting, effect.
I'm so happy with my new closet boxes! The best part about this easy D.I.Y. is that I didn't have to buy any supplies. Everything I used was already in my home and recycled. Have fun crafting a more organized space... xo. elsie
Cute idea! I love all the black-and-white patterns you use on this too!
Posted by: Nicole | November 17, 2011 at 10:25 PM
I never throw away shoe boxes! Of course most of my shoe boxes are of the small variety due to the littles, but they work for a ton of things too. Cover them in kraft paper and stick on some washi tape (or have the kids cover it in artwork), and I'm good to go.
Posted by: Faith | Ordinary Mommy Design | November 17, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Your organization DIYs are so pretty, Elsie! I love love love this idea; and such a perfect way to display photographs too!
x
www.lostinthehaze.com
Posted by: Jo - Lost in the Haze | November 17, 2011 at 10:30 PM
I have always wanted to use photos as labels for shoes and hats and whatnot... my current apartment is way too small though, and with NO closet space, so my shoes and hats currently don't get the awesome labeling I wish they had = ( Such a cute idea using fabric on the boxes though!
-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Posted by: meesch | November 17, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Cute idea! I'm moving soon and I think I'll have to do this for my new closet :)
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline
Posted by: Jacqueline | November 17, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Oh my gosh, great idea!! I'm reorganizing my bedroom right now, so I will definitely be making some of these.
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | November 17, 2011 at 10:31 PM
I do this with boxes too! So useful and it looks pretty! I like your photo labels!
Ngaio May xx
Posted by: Ngaio May | November 17, 2011 at 10:31 PM
love the idea of photos as labels. very fun. :)
Posted by: lauren | November 17, 2011 at 10:32 PM
What a great idea! I love the photo labels! So clever of you!
Posted by: shutterbug | November 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM
love this idea! so pretty!
Posted by: A Little Petite | November 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Love the fabric, your new boxes look amazing! I do something similar with diaper boxes to store my kids toys & books. I use burlap for the fabric and then stencils and paint to make a label.
There's a picture here if you are interested
http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/10/small-graces_21.html
Posted by: Rachel | November 17, 2011 at 10:48 PM
I love this idea! I've been needing something to store my ever-growing collection of hats and mittens and I think this is just the ticket.
Posted by: Erica | November 17, 2011 at 11:01 PM
What an adorable idea! Love the photo's on the front so you know what's inside :)
xo Jac
thesunshinedistrict.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jacqueline | November 17, 2011 at 11:02 PM
this perfect and so amazing. i was planning to buy storage boxes so this came in the knack of time.
Posted by: Joy | November 17, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Super cute!! I wish I had more shelf space :/
www.mythriftychic.com
Posted by: Tori | November 17, 2011 at 11:12 PM
This is fabulous. Great idea.
Posted by: Meghan | November 17, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Cool! :D I usually use wrapping paper to make my boxes look cute, but I never thought about fabric. :D
-Alyssa
happycatmint.blogspot.com
Posted by: Alyssa | November 17, 2011 at 11:24 PM
the photo labels are genius! I have a ton of these in my room and can never forget which is which and what is what....great idea and cute!
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
Posted by: graced | November 17, 2011 at 11:30 PM
Cute idea!
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Posted by: Norah | November 18, 2011 at 12:09 AM
These are SO cute! I should try this--I'm so unorganized, but I feel like buying cute storage containers is SO expensive. I always end up with lots of boxes around my house--might as well recycle. Only thing I'm missing is the mod podge :)
-Kat
http://certainsomethingbtq.etsy.com
( 10% off with coupon code TAKE10 )
Posted by: Kat | November 18, 2011 at 12:19 AM